Apples are one of the most nutritious fruits in the world. Apples come in many different varieties. Of course, the flavor of each type also has its own characteristics. Let's explore together the history of the names of popular apple varieties in the world!
Names of popular apple varieties in the world
Red Delicious red apples
This is probably the most common type of apple you'll find in the supermarket. Jesse Hiatt, an Iowa farmer in the late 1800s, originally grew Red Delicious on his farm and called it Hawkeye. He entered this apple into a contest organized by Stark Nurseries in the early 1890s.
After winning, Stark bought the rights to these apples and changed the name to Stark Delicious. The name was eventually changed to Red Delicious to distinguish it from Stark's Golden Delicious, which arrived on the market a little later. Red Delicious's popularity has waxed and waned significantly since its heyday in the 1980s.
In recent years, to attract consumers, growers have focused on making this signature apple redder. As a result, some of the sweet flavor of Red Delicious was lost. You can still find Red Delicious apples in most supermarkets, and they are usually cheaper than other types of apples.
Fuji
Guess where this apple comes from? That's right, like the camera and film company of the same name, the Fuji apple originated in Japan in the 1960s. It was created by Japanese researchers by combining two American varieties of apples — Red Delicious and Ralls Janet.
It wasn't introduced to the US until the 1980s but has since become very popular. Most people say that this apple gets its name from a town called Fujisaki, located in Japan's main apple growing region.
Fuji apples are typically smaller than Red Delicious apples and are much sweeter. This type of apple is more suitable for baking because it retains its shape better than Red Delicious apples.
Golden Delicious
Golden Delicious apples are not related to Red Delicious apples. Its name comes from its golden skin, which distinguishes it from most other apple varieties. Originally grown on the Mullin farm in Clay County, West Virginia in the 1890s, its first name was Mullin's Yellow Seedling. Until it was acquired by Stark Nurseries, it was renamed Golden Delicious.
Golden Delicious became so popular that it was named the state fruit of West Virginia. Golden Delicious apples are famous for their sweetness and are great for eating right away, baking and making salads.
Granny Smith
This type of apple was accidentally discovered by “Granny” Maria Ann Smith in New South Wales, Australia in 1868. Granny Smiths stand out from most other apples because of their green flesh and very sour flavor. Granny Smiths are great eaten right away, and are also delicious grilled.
Empire
Empire apples get their name because they originated in New York (Empire State) in 1966. Created by the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Cornell, Empire apples are a cross between Red Delicious apples and apples. McIntosh.
Empire apples are known for their sweet and sour flavor and usefulness as a versatile apple.
Honeycrisp
Designed by researchers at the University of Minnesota by crossing Macoun apples with Honeygold apples in the 1960s, Honeycrisp apples are sometimes called “brand” apples.
They actually taste as if they've been drizzled with honey, are incredibly crunchy, and are more expensive than regular apples. However, many people are willing to buy them because Honeycrisp apples are really delicious.
